Hi, I need someone's sincere help here. Please, none of the childish "Linux is better than Windows" junk as it really just drops someones credibility when they stink of that kind of religion. Please.

I'm considering buying either a N900 or a Viliv S5. Since I utilize Windows XP and program/do everything on my laptop the Viliv currently seems like a better deal. To try and answer the question myself I have come up with these things that I currently do most every day on my N810:

1. Take notes (Notes application) Score:8
2. Record my mileage and stops for business (Gnumeric) Score: 7
3. Calculate taxes for invoices (Calculator) Score:7
4. Set alarms to remind me, etc (Clock) Score: 7
5. Remote control my PC (VNC Viewer) Score: 8
6. View PDF manuals (PDF reader) Score: 6
7. Make VOIP calls (DialCentral) Score: 8
8. File browsing stuff (File Manager) Score:6
9. Internet connection through wifi/bluetooth tethering Score:7
10. Internet browsing (Tear and built-in one) Score: 7
11. Play emulators (ColEm, iNES, ScummVM, etc) Score:8

Stuff I WANT to do or do better:

1. GPS Navigation (Maemo Mapper) Score: 2. The N810 is way underpowered for Maemo Mapper, the internal GPS shouldn't even be called a GPS, etc. I currently carry a BlueTooth GPS just pull this off.
2. Run a few of my Python scripts that mine data from real-estate websites. Heavy load stuff that the N810 just isn't strong enough to do or I'm not a good enough coder to pull off.
3. Minimize or eliminate "porting" my stuff over to another device. I don't want to have to change the bit rate or convert a movie just so I can watch it somewhere else. (I believe both devices are pretty much equal here)
4. I want to view/edit my Word, Excel documents directly on my portable without having to modify or lose advanced formatting, etc. When I use Open Office to open some Word documents, things sometimes get messed up with the formatting.
5. Website editing line of items. Including: Editing PHP, ASP, HTML, etc using Microsoft Visual Studio and Geany. Run Apache and IIS to test sites. Edit images using Adobe Photoshop. Upload/download files via FTP.
6. View my personal pictures quickly and easily.
7. Create music using Reason software. This I know would only work on the Viliv but I'm not sure how viable doing this on the Atom processor or such a small screen is. But, it would be fantastic to get my ideas down while mobile.
8. Carry just one device. This means that I no longer have a separate phone that I tether through for internet connections. However, this device must be something that I can tether through (Bluetooth or wifi) for my wife or when I do bring my laptop.

Now that you know more about what I do and what I want to do, please help. I don't know of any store in Sacramento, California that has or will have either of these for me to "try" out. Wait, the N900 should be available somewhere and not just a stupid plastic model.

I already am using T-Mobile and the 3G network with my Sony TM506 phone. I'm concerned that the keyboard on the N900 is horrible and will negate any benefits over a virtual keyboard (S5). I'm also not sure how many of the listed items can really be pulled off on a small screen but I do know that 3.5" (N900) versus 4.8" (S5) is a big difference. I know the S5 is bulky but could be a trade-off for full compatibility.

After using the Viliv S5, are you able to do everything that you do on a laptop? Does the usability suffer enough that this is just not viable? I almost believe that if multi-touch pinch zoom in/out on the S5 existing it might be the best situation.

Sorry this is so long and please help.

They say the best device is the one you have with you. I suspect that after a while the N900 will be in you pocket more of the time.

Battery is looking good, always handy to have decent camera, lots of storage so you can leave your ipod (would you plug your head phones into anything bigger on the bus or tube without looking like a nob )

You know where this is going......

Mike C

ah jkk mobile

please do buy viliv s5. It can do anything you want. you can search my posted video test on youtube with keyword: viliv s5 full test.

i really love his GPS. it works beautifully and better than my Garmin 680.

But there is no camera.

It works way better on the N900 *IF* you have a network connection: https://bugs.maemo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=5337

There's Office Viewers (not: Editors) available on the N900. Editor plan is probably to provide KOffice in the long run.

That's a bit vague, but for me it works on the N900.